What are the potential problems 7 yr old bitch having her FIRST litter?

Lack of maternal behaviour, difficulty whelping, problems with milk supply eclampsia, basically anything that is likely when we ourselves embark on motherhood late, I think inertia is a higher possibility as the bones are less soft and also the muscles less strong than in youth.

Pregnancy and rearing a litter of multiple offspring put a tremendous physical and mental strain on any animals and one in it's prime is more likely to be resilient enough to cope well.

You will have many many at the age, first one being if she even takes. IMHO if you have not matted her just don't 7 is getting on for having a litter. But this being her first i would think about it again to make sure you know what you are getting into

I usually don't even breed from any of my girls once they reach 7.  I bred (she whelped) from my older champion bitch when she was a month over 7 and that is about as old as I would go, and it was her third litter.

Would like to clarify...its not my dog.I am trying to persuade a person I know that it would be better to have her bitch (who accidentally mated with her 'wolf' cross breed male) abort the puppies but at the min shes not for listening.I am concerned for the bitch and the pups welfare

Hi Asa,

perhaps if you print off the replies and also the info on this page your friend will realise what a dangerous road she's presently allowing her bitch to travel.

Everything else aside, with the combination of a so called 'wolf cross' goodness only knows what any surviving pups will be like and what sort of people would want them :(

With so many unplanned litters and foolishly carried out deliberate ones it is madness in this ever litigious world we live in to court trouble by going ahead with this - and all that without taking into consideration the devastation of possibly losing her bitch, which presumably she loves dearly :(

HTH you and your friend.
best wishes, Teri

Maybe she'd change her mind if you point out that the risk of a c-section at that age for a first timer is HUGE, and if it occurs out of hours, she could be talking vet costs of £1000 or more.

Here's a link to another page -the text is actually written by me a few years ago (not my site though), and tells of the costs and hassle involved in breeding -and mentions that my accidental crossbred litter lost me plenty of money and meant I had to keep 2 pups as I could not sell them all. http://www.teamworktraining.co.uk/breeding.asp

told her about a possible c section...reply? Oh well I'll be in debt to the vet then!!!!!

Most vets will demand full payment on the day........

and insurance won't pay up if its related to breeding!

Well you can tell her, she is mad for doing this. I have had 1 litter off a 7 year old, as i wanted to have a litter with my two CH's. There was 1 or 2 small problems but it was her 3rd litter and thats the only reason i want a head with it.

You can be 100% sure the bitch will find it very hard going.

Apart from the obvious reasons stated above for not breeding a first litter from 7 year old bitch unless your friend lives abroad they will not own a wolf cross of any kind unless they have a wild animal licence and the wolf cross is kept in the strictest of conditions.  I expect they own what people like to refer to an an Inuit (GSD x Husky x Mal) commonly advertised as wolf lookalikes.

Just keep reminding your friend of the costs, ie c sections, taking back dogs in the future if anyone who buys one can't keep it for any reason.

Have also told her that theres no way its a wolf cross...not for listening.She was in the process apparently of getting rid of all the dogs until the bitch mated and now she doesn't see why 'someone else' should make money out of it!
Wish I could be more laid back....things like this just make me so angry and can't help but stick my nose in.

> Wish I could be more laid back....things like this just make me so angry and can't help but stick my nose in.

I couldn't be laid back about that. My nose would be well and truly stuck in. I hope you convince her to see sense rather than pounds. I'd be surprised if she made any money though. The litter could cost her a lot and with few people buying puppies at the moment it's more likely she'll be stuck with a few. And big puppies cost a lot to feed.

My friend has a 6 year old beagle (only just 6 this month) and in january is planning to have her mated. She hasnt any other time as they have co insided with crufts (which she has qualified for every year) or something has come up... Her next season will be in january, and I think she is likely to only have 2 or 3 puppies as she is on the small side for a beagle and obviously her age.. however she regularly works (every day in the right seasons) and is fit.. I have no idea whether they will go through with it but they are now re thinking as she is very posessive over things like toys during her season so god knows what she'll be like with a litter..

Hi Asa,

Very bad idea your friend making her dog go through with this- maybe by telling her that her female dog is in human years 53 years of age might make her think about about it logically rather than money wise of course by the sounds of it she doesn't give a hoot about her dog as thinking about getting rid of her now keeping her now she has pups inside of her. Try putting her off by telling  her how much her house will stink lots of wee & poo from puppies to clean up twice a day and being large dogs she will not easily get homes as everyone is into small designer breeds these days anyhow? 

Try putting her off by telling  her how much her house will stink lots of wee & poo from puppies to clean up twice a day

How often??  Mine are 6 weeks old today and I wish I could gt away with cleaning up twice a day!!!  It is virtually constant - especially with being such a dreadful late summer and them not being able to spend as much time outside as I would normally like.

Mine are 7 weeks today and it is a constant job all day long. If i left it to clean up even 4 times a day they would constantly get covered in their poo.

yeah course... Error on my part should of put all day- not twice! thought about it after but just couldn't be bothered to edit. :)

I can only reeiterate what others have said, but if it helps your friend at all I can say that I really wanted to breed with my much loved 5 year maiden bitch and did. She was
1) Unwell throughout pregnancy 2) Had mastititis requiring antibiotics at 71/2 pregnancy 3) 48 labour followed by ceaserian section 5 pups 4) Poor mothering, 2 pups crushed by Mum, little interest in pups 5) post op wound infection, 10 weeks+ mastitis 6) Very expensive vet bill!! 7) I thin it turned her into a bit of an old girl and I wouldn't want her(or me) to repeat the experience.